SA20 Commissioner Graeme Smith said India’s Premier League (IPL) is an indisputable leader in franchise cricket, from which they can “learn” and improve. The third season of SA20 is currently in the final stages of South Africa.
“The BCCI and IPL have been incredible in supporting us and leading us in every decision we have made. IPL is the leader of franchise cricket and we can learn from them. You can,” Smith told PTI Bhasha in an exclusive interview.
IPL veteran Dinesh Karthik has become the first Indian player to participate in SA20, representing the Paarl Royals. However, the team was short in the second qualifiers, losing to two-time champion Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Centurion on Thursday.
When asked about the prospect of more Indian players joining the league in the future, Smith expressed enthusiasm and said he would welcome them if available. However, he made it clear that such plans are not in place at the moment.
“We’ve always said we’ve worked with the BCCI to confirm their future views. South African cricket loves Indian cricketers. Whenever they come here, we have an Indian team. Seeing talent is always a highlight: “The 44-year-old former captain, who led South Africa to a record 54 Test victory, said.
“If Indian players were available, I would like to have them here. But there’s nothing in that kind of pipeline. We’re always in conversation and maybe I’m in India there. We’re in a very good relationship. They.
“I was lucky enough to play in the IPL for a few years. I won my first edition in 2008 at Rajasthan Royals.”
The third season final of SA20 between Mi Cape Town and the Sunrisers is the league’s 101st match since January 2023.
“When the team told me that the second qualifying was their 100th match, I got a little emotional because of the amount of effort that reached SA20.
“I started thinking about the first employee, first meeting with the team, first auction, and the performance I’ve seen over the past three years that I’ve started thinking incredibly much.”
